Mark Sykes joins Oxford United, and Gavin Whyte has important job lined up for him

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The two players know each other well from their time in the Danske Bank Premiership and for Northern Ireland Under 21s.

The pair grew up in South Belfast - Sykes from Lower Ormeau and Whyte from the Markets - and have known each other for 15 years.

They also played in the same representative sides as schoolboys, and are now preparing to become teammates once again.

"I am delighted to see Mark join the club," Whyte said.

Mark Sykes pictured at Oxford United (Image: Oxford United FC)

"I think Mark joining Oxford it will benefit the two of us. I think it will help him settle in massively because I’m here, and it will also help me to have someone that I’m a good friend with so I can show him around Oxford.

"Mark is going to stay with me for a bit until he gets stuff sorted - he will be doing the cooking!"

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Oxford boss Karl Robinson admitted the performances of Whyte this season influenced the club's decision to go for another rising Irish League star.

“(Whyte's form) gives us confidence," he told the Oxford Mail

“People will argue that Sykes was ahead of Gavin Whyte when we signed him. We watched him play for Northern Ireland (U21s) against Spain and he was sensational.”

Whyte admits the comments are flattering, and believes Sykes has all the attributes to make a name for himself in full-time football.

Gavin Whyte

"Yeah, it is nice to hear that," Whyte said of his manager's praise.

"I have a good relationship with the manger and I don’t think people expected me to do as well so quickly, and I think now managers will look to the Irish League knowing that there are players there that clubs can take a chance on.

"Mark is a similar type of player to me, he’s confident and plays with a lot of freedom and I think he’ll fit in with what we are trying to do, and how will we try to play.

"And the fans will love him."

Whyte added: "I’ve said to Mark that it will probably take him a couple of weeks to settle in and adjust to the training, but I think it won’t take him to long.

"He’s going to be doing the right things, eating the right stuff and he will be in and out of the gym a lot more. It’s a big change but it won’t take him to long to adjust to life over here."

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